Factory Tuner: 2009 Nissan Nismo 370Z
While many new car tuners have been awaiting the prospect to turn their ingenuity loose on the all-new 2009 Nissan 370Z, the Japanese auto maker allowed their in-house, racing-based performance group the earliest honor to interpret the mid-level sports car in tuner form. Released for the summer of 2009, the all-new Nissan Nismo Z improves on the theme set by a Nismo-outfitted 350Z. Bringing more power and edge than the predecessor, the new Nissan Nismo Z is a well-stated performance package to the already stunning Nissan 370Z.
Nissan Nismo Z Exterior and Interior Appearance
The Nissan Nismo Z exterior enjoys some gentle manicuring over the 370Z coupe's front and rear body contours to improve the sport car's hold to the ground. Starting from the simplified front fascia, the lower portion of the Nismo Z is wrapped with downforce-inducing body kit. The sloping rear deck lid is topped by a large racing style double spoiler which has more than a passing resemblance to a Porsche 911 GT3's aerodynamic device. Through careful aerodynamic tuning for increasing downforce, the Nissan Nismo Z retains a 0.30 drag coefficient present on the new 370Z coupe.
Closer to the ground, the Nissan Nismo Z rides on standard five-spoke forged alloy wheels developed by Rays in Japan, which emphasize weight savings as well as allows the 14 inch front and 13.8 inch rear disc brakes to be viewable in a well-vented area through large openings. Framing these special lightweight wheels, Yokohama ADVAN Sport Y-rated rubber features a fat 285mm width rear wheel for distributing the power within the Nismo Z's rear wheel axle.
Using two-tone coloring throughout the interior, the Nissan Nismo Z cabin richly captures racing life. Including a set of cloth bucket seats, the Nismo-badged seats features side bolstering and anti-slip material to competently keep the driver and passenger secured through driving. A Nismo authenticating plaque vividly rests between the seats as a reminder to the vehicle's performance capabilities. Behind the wheel, the engine ignites with a simple press of a button thanks to the standard intelligent key. Along with the clearly readable gauge viewable through the steering wheel, a three pod center gauge is found within the middle of the dash panel showing oil pressure, electrical voltage, and time. Lacking a rear passenger seat, the larger rear cargo area opens possibilities to an experienced tuner in providing aftermarket add-ons such as upgraded stereo equipment or fitting a nitrous oxide system.
Nissan Nismo Z Engine and Transmission
Just like the Nissan 370Z, the Nismo Z features a 3.7 liter dual overhead cam V6 engine mounted just behind the front axle (technically making the sports car a mid-engine vehicle). Thanks to changes to the engine's electronic control module as well as the Nismo exclusive tuned dual exhaust setup, the Nismo Z breathes out with 350 horsepower and 276 pounds feet of torque. An improvement of 34 horsepower over the outgoing Nissan 350Z-based Nismo, performance of the new Nissan Nismo Z favors the engine's top end.
True to its performance design, the Nissan Nismo Z's gear selection is driver-controlled through a manual transmission. Advertised as a SynchroRev Match 6-speed manual, this transmission is well-monitored for shifting movement and vehicle speed. During shifting, the SynchroRev match transmission intuitively bumps the engine's RPM to make smooth gear changes.
Nissan Nismo Z Performance
With the Nissan 370Z achieving 0 to 60 miles per hour times in 4.9 seconds, it may be reason to expect the 350 horsepower Nissan Nismo Z to run this test in a one or two tenths less seconds.
Taking the sports car through the twists and turns of a closed circuit, Nismo's suspension system enhancement makes this modified Nissan 370Z into a much more aggressive handler. With virtually any component stiffened beyond the specs of the 370Z, the Nissan Nismo Z sport suspension provides better body rolling resistance and car control through higher speed maneuvering.
Stickered at $39,130 as a starting price, the limited edition Nissan Nismo Z is fitted with a capable amount of racing-quality parts and accessories at a little less the half the cost of the Nissan GT-R.